Al Terzi - the Dean of Connecticut journalists and one of the most recognizable faces in state - will be the master of ceremonies for a Bloomfield Public Schools concert April 2 at7 p.m., at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Terzi, a two-time Emmy Award winner, has anchored and reported on the news for close to 50 years.

More than 500 Bloomfield students will perform in the premiere of "Light the Fire Within." For over a decade, the Bloomfield Public Schools have highlighted the talents of its students through the annual Visual and Performing Arts Festival.

Students from Laurel Elementary School, Metacomet Elementary School, Carmen Arace Intermediate and Middle School, and Bloomfield High School will perform independent selections. Joint numbers, featuring various combined bands and choirs, will showcase the strength of the arts in Bloomfield. The grand finale will feature all of the students on stage. Leading this year's concert is Music Coordinator Frank Quinn, who will direct the high school instrumental ensembles. Returning directors Dorothea Jones, Shanna Crimi, Terry Smith-Williams and Matthew McCarthy will lead students from each of their respective school ensembles. Joining the team for her Bushnell debut is BHS choir director Aubree Bowman.

The audience can expect to hear eclectic song styles, including traditional, contemporary, instrumental as well as vocal. The festival concludes with a rendition of "Light the Fire Within", originally written by LeAnn Rimes for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

A week after the Bushnell concert - April 9 - Bloomfield's visual arts department is hosting a district-wide art exhibition at 55 Wintonbury Mall. A small preview of artwork, representing every Bloomfield public school, will be displayed at the April 2 Bushnell performance.

Ticket prices for the Bushnell event are $7 and are on sale now at the Bushnell box office, 860-987-5900. For additional information on festival related events contact Frank Quinn, 860-286-2630 or Karen Wright 860-286-2622.